Hackers Are Attacking Millions Of Computers And Demanding Ransom In Bitcoins

Before you mail holiday gifts to far-away friends and relatives,
back up your most important computer files. There's a scary new
computer virus called
CryptoLocker that was spreading
like crazy in the U.K. last month and is now crossing over to
infect U.S. computers.

The National Crime Agency in the U.K.
issued an alert last month saying that hackers have targeted
"tens of millions" of computers.

CryptoLocker is a form of a virus called "ransomware," meaning
hackers do something bad to your computer and then demand money
to reverse what they've done. In this case, CryptoLocker encrypts
the files on your computer. Then you get a pop-up notice on your
computer telling you that you must pay if you want your files
back.

Sometimes the hackers want $100, sometimes $300, and sometimes
they want up to 2 bitcoins. They ask for bitcoins because they
are difficult to trace. Sometimes the virus gives you the
option of paying through MoneyPak, a site that offers
pre-paid credit cards.

You might get 100 hours to pay. If you pay, maybe your files will
be set free. Maybe they won't. Maybe you'll one day be asked to
pay again.

Much of the time, the virus comes as an attachment to an email.
The attachment is often a fake FedEx and UPS tracking notice,
the
Homeland Security Cybercrime unit warns. That's particularly
dangerous during the holiday shopping season when many people are
shipping packages.